Parted from Me (Star Trek: TOS story by Dana Austin Marsh)
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | “Parted from Me” |
| Author(s): | Dana Austin Marsh |
| Date(s): | 02/1992 |
| Length: | print-39 pg.;K/S Archive-17,328 words |
| Genre(s): | slash |
| Fandom(s): | Star Trek: TOS |
| Relationship(s): | Kirk/Spock |
| External Links: | The Kirk/Spock Fanfiction Archive on AO3 |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
“Parted from Me” is a Kirk/Spock story by Dana Austin Marsh.
It was published in the print zine Counterpoint #6 (02/1992) and online in (10/2010).
Summary
From Author's Summary on K/S Archive: “Kirk is killed in an accident in an access tube, but his spirit manages to stay with his bondmate as both he and Spock try to ascertain why he was allowed to stay”
Reactions and Reviews
1992
I don't usually do well with death stories, but this one was beautiful, loving, logical and in a weird way, satisfying. But then, this author's stories so frequently are. [1]
What a fantastic idea! This was a lot more serious than most of the author’s stories, and I was captivated from the first sentence. A very intense, concise style of writing, and a thoroughly engrossing story. It was all I could do to keep from skipping to the end to see if what appeared to have happened had really happened. I kept reassuring myself that if it were one of those stories, there would have been a warning; but the argument can be made that all ended well. This is one of the more memorable short stories I’ve read in some time. I thought the ‘explanation’ for Kirk's ‘existence’ was a bit shallow, but this was so intriguing that I was willing to suspend my disbelief. An excellent piece of work. [2]
2002
I like stories that make me cry. Weird maybe, but there it is. And this one is one of those kinds of stories. It starts with Kirk’s death from a fall while working in an access tube aboard the Enterprise. He and Spock are already lovers, though not true bondmates. Kirk had always feared being the instrument of Spock’s death and so had refused it. So now Spock is alone, and you see his grief, and McCoy’s, as they try to deal with it. But though Kirk is dead, he’s not gone. For some reason, his ‘soul’, or ‘ghost’ is still on the Enterprise, and it’s with dawning horror that he realizes what has happened. Luckily, he still has enough of a connection to Spock to make himself known to him. Of course, Spock is overjoyed, and begins spending all his time trying to find a way to “re-fuse” Kirk’s spirit with his body.
But Kirk isn’t so sure that it’s possible, and after saving the ship because of information only he would have, he finds himself being stifled by his half-existence. He finally realizes that he was kept there for that specific purpose, to save the ship. Now that he has, he finds himself compelled to leave the ship, to step out into the stars. Eventually he goes to Spock and tells him he that he has to leave. That he doesn’t belong there anymore. Because Spock’s reactions are causing comments, he talks of Kirk in the present tense, and shows no signs of grief, Kirk, and McCoy once he is convinced that Kirk is still around, feels that the situation is a danger to Spock. Kirk leaves, but not before going to McCoy and making sure the doctor is there for Spock.
An epilogue takes place a few months later. Spock wakes in an experimental shuttle that Kirk and Spock were working on at the time of Kirk’s death. An accident during a test run has released a deadly gas, and both he and the co-pilot are dead. Spock is met by Kirk, who has waited for him. It turns out that the crewman who was in the shuttle with Spock should have been the one to die in the access tube. Kirk and Spock were meant to die together, never to be parted.
All three men’s grief is so clear and heartbreaking. Spock’s roller-coaster ride from devastating grief, to great joy, and then back again, is shared by the reader. You feel Kirk’s sorrow when he realizes he must leave his lover, and McCoy’s despair as he comprehends the inevitable ending for his two friends.
A truly beautiful story that I can't recommend enough. [3]
2010
This was absolutely heartbreaking, deeply moving and very beautiful. I don't think I've cried that much in a long time - I had to stop reading for five minutes because I couldn't see the screen properly through my tears...Then I'd manage to get through another paragraph and it would start all over again.
I am completely blown away. I loved the realism behind all the characters and the intense emotional pain and love Kirk and Spock have for each other. I really enjoyed how you dealt with such a serious subject matter.
Major character death usually puts me off some fic, but I loved reading some of your other stuff. I am so glad I actually went ahead and read this. Thank you for writing it. [4]
Yup, I'm a mess right now (O_O)
This is easily one of the most achingly beautiful and heartfelt pieces of fanfiction I have ever read, and a wonderful testament to the love that Kirk and Spock have--a love that transcends even death. Thank you for this. [5]
2011
A very moving death story. Normally I hate death stories, they make me cry too, and this was no exception. As you would guess though, this is no ordinary D.S.
In this one it is Kirk who dies, a seemingly trivial accident which should not have happened. You can imagine, and it is beautifully written, the effect this has on the crew, Spock and McCoy especially. Kirk himself isn’t that thrilled either, as he finds himself roaming round the ship, unable to trip the door controls, activate the computer, or even touch anyone. He needs neither food, sleep or even ‘bathroom necessities’, ‘Well’ he reasons, ‘if I can’t eat I won’t need to pee!’
Eventually Spock returns to his quarters, where Kirk has found himself marooned for over 2 days, and Kirk is able to make contact at last. Spock immediately throws himself into researching all similar occurrences in the vain hope that Kirk can be reintegrated with his body. Having saved the ship from a rogue Klingon attack, Kirk realises that Spock is becoming too dependent on his presence, and space is calling him ever more strongly. He goes to say goodbye, something that they missed because of his accident, and steps out into space to become one with the stars.
There is a final twist, but I won‘t spoil it for you. [6]
2021
4/5: This was really good but also really depressing.[7]
References
- ^ from The LOC Connection #42
- ^ The LOC Connection #44 (08/1992)
- ^ The K/S Press #66 (03/2002)
- ^ from jumpmybones at The Kirk/Spock Fanfiction Archive
- ^ from Spockaholic at The Kirk/Spock Fanfiction Archive
- ^ The K/S Press #173 (02/2011)
- ^ K/S Fanfiction by uss-genderprise.tumblr.com/